A WOMAN was arrested on the charges of importation of contraband, possession of contraband and trafficking after Customs and Biosecurity inspectors found 5.9 grams of methamphetamine in a projector she picked up at the Benjamin Taisacan Manglona International Airport on Rota.
According to Customs Inspector David M. Ogo, a Star Marianas Air cargo flight arrived from Guam at 12:50 p.m. on Nov. 1.
About an hour later, Jairee Lynne Mendiola, 33, went to the CBS office to get her personal cargo. The air waybill indicated that the shipper was Mark Quichocho and the consignee was Terry Mendiola.
CBS Officer Peter Manglona escorted Jairee Lynne Mendiola to the Star Marianas cargo area where she picked up her cargo. They then proceeded to the arrival area for inspection. During inspection, CBS personnel checked a black Dell projector and found a round object wrapped in green electrical tape.
Customs Inspector Ogo unwrapped the tape and found a clear plastic bag with crystalline substance.
Rota Department of Public Safety Police Officer II Joseph T. Barcinas arrived and, in his presence, the CBS officers conducted a field test on the substance, which indicated presumptive positive for presence of methamphetamine.
Jairee Lynne Mendiola was then placed under arrest and read her Miranda rights.
She told police officers that Larry John, also known as Brad Atalig, went to her house in Sinapalo at around 10 a.m. on Oct. 31, and offered her $300 if she could receive a cargo from Guam at the Rota airport.
The CBS officers asked the defendant if she knew there was meth in the package she was picking up. She said, “Yes, I had a feeling.”
But she said she was behind on her utility bills and was supposed to use the money to pay them.
Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan, who issued the warrant of arrest, imposed a $100,000 cash bail on Mendiola.
